Filana Therapeutics, Inc 10-Q for FY2022 Q1
Filana Therapeutics, Inc. (FLNA)
About this 10-Q
Filana Therapeutics, Inc filed this 10-Q on May 5, 2022, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (FY2022 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2022, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Net loss
- $17.53M
- compared with a net loss of $3.53M a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________
Form
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| OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the Quarterly Period Ended
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| OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from ___________ to ___________ |
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Commission File Number:
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(Address, including zip code, of registrant’s principal executive offices and
telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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| Non-accelerated Filer ¨ | Smaller Reporting Company |
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| Emerging Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
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| Common Stock, $0.001 par value |
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CASSAVA SCIENCES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. | Financial Statements |
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| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 | 3 | ||
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| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – ThreeMonths Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 | 4 | ||
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| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 | 6 | ||
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Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 16 | ||
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Item 3. | 34 | |||
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Item 4. | 34 | |||
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PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION |
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Item 1. | 34 | |||
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Item 1A | 35 | |||
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Item 2. | 35 | |||
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Item 3. | 35 | |||
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Item 4. | 35 | |||
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Item 5. | 36 | |||
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Item 6. | 37 | |||
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38 | ||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
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CASSAVA SCIENCES, INC. | ||||||
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||
(Unaudited, in thousands, except share and par value data) | ||||||
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| December 31, |
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ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents | $ | |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Total current assets |
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Operating lease right-of-use assets |
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Property and equipment, net |
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Intangible assets, net |
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Other assets |
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Total assets | $ | |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable | $ | |
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Accrued development expense |
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Accrued compensation and benefits |
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Operating lease liabilities, current |
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Other current liabilities |
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Total current liabilities |
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Operating lease liabilities, non-current |
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Other non-current liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9, 10 and 11) |
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Stockholders' equity: |
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Preferred stock, $ |
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Common stock, $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated deficit |
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Total stockholders' equity |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CASSAVA SCIENCES, INC. | |||||
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) | |||||
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development, net of grant reimbursement | $ | |
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General and administrative |
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Total operating expenses |
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Operating loss |
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Interest income |
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Other income, net |
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Net loss | $ | ( |
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Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | ( |
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Shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CASSAVA SCIENCES, INC. | |||||||||||||
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||||
(In thousands, except share data) | |||||||||||||
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| Total | ||||
| Common stock |
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Balance at December 31, 2020 | |
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Stock-based compensation for: |
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Stock options for employees | — |
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Stock options for non-employees | — |
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Issuance of common stock pursuant to exercise of stock options | |
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Issuance of common stock pursuant to exercise of warrants | |
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Common stock issued in conjunction with registered direct offering, net of issuance costs | |
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Net loss | — |
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Balance at March 31, 2021 | |
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Balance at December 31, 2021 | |
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Stock-based compensation for: |
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Stock options for employees | — |
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Stock options for non-employees | — |
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Issuance of common stock pursuant to exercise of stock options | |
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Net loss | — |
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Balance at March 31, 2022 | |
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CASSAVA SCIENCES, INC. | |||||
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||
(Unaudited, in thousands) | |||||
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| Three months ended March 31, | ||||
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net loss | $ | ( |
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Stock-based compensation |
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Depreciation |
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Amortization of intangible assets |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Prepaid and other assets |
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Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
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Accrued development expense |
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Accrued compensation and benefits |
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Other liabilities |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Purchase of property and equipment |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options |
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Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of common stock warrants |
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Proceeds from common stock offering, net of issuance costs |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Cassava Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Cassava Sciences, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary (collectively referred to as the “Company”) discover and develop proprietary pharmaceutical product candidates that may offer significant improvements to patients and healthcare professionals. The Company generally focuses its discovery and product development efforts on disorders of the nervous system.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management of the Company, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year 2022. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The widespread outbreak of a novel infectious disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, has not significantly impacted the Company’s operations or financial condition as of May 5, 2022. We believe certain investigational clinical study sites that are involved, or potentially would like to be involved, with our clinical programs may be experiencing lingering, pandemic-related after-effects, such as staffing shortages, operational gaps or other adverse circumstances. Also, this pandemic has created a dynamic and uncertain situation in the national economy. The Company continues to closely monitor the latest information to make timely, informed business decisions and public disclosures regarding the potential impact of pandemic on its operations and financial condition. The scope of pandemic is unprecedented, and its long-term impact on the Company’s operations and financial condition cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
Liquidity
The Company has incurred significant net losses and negative cash flows since inception, and as a result has an accumulated deficit of $
The Company makes estimates and assumptions in preparing its condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenue earned and expenses incurred during the reporting period. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis, including those estimates related to manufacturing agreements and research collaborations. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.
The Company invests in cash and cash equivalents. The Company considers highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Highly liquid investments that are considered cash equivalents include money market accounts and funds, certificates of deposit, and U.S. Treasury securities. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents at one financial institution.
The Company recognizes financial instruments in accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures for financial assets and liabilities. This guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance also establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include:
Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2 includes significant observable inputs, such as quoted prices for identical or similar securities, or other inputs that are observable and can be corroborated by observable market data for similar securities. The Company uses market pricing and other observable market inputs obtained from third-party providers. It uses the bid price to establish fair value where a bid price is available. The Company does not have any financial instruments where the fair value is based on Level 2 inputs.
Level 3 includes unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. The Company does not have any financial instruments where the fair value is based on Level 3 inputs.
If a financial instrument uses inputs that fall in different levels of the hierarchy, the instrument will be categorized based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value calculation. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents was based on Level 1 inputs at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
The Company reports segment information based on how it internally evaluates the operating performance of its business units, or segments. The Company’s operations are confined to
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company received reimbursements totaling $
The Company recognizes non-cash expense for the fair value of all stock options and other share-based awards. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model (“Black-Scholes”) to calculate the fair value of stock options, using the single-option award approach and straight-line attribution method. This model requires the input of subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility, expected life and estimated forfeitures of each award. These assumptions consist of estimates of future market conditions, which are inherently uncertain, and therefore, are subject to management's judgment. For all options granted, it recognizes the resulting fair value as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of each respective stock option, generally
The Company has granted share-based awards that vest upon achievement of certain performance criteria (“Performance Awards”). The Company multiplies the number of Performance Awards by the fair value of its common stock on the date of grant to calculate the fair value of each award. It estimates an implicit service period for achieving performance criteria for each award. The Company recognizes the resulting fair value as expense over the implicit service period when it concludes that achieving the performance criteria is probable. It periodically reviews and
updates as appropriate its estimates of implicit service periods and conclusions on achieving the performance criteria. Performance Awards vest and common stock is issued upon achievement of the performance criteria.
The Company computes basic net loss per share on the basis of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted net loss per share is computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus potential dilutive common shares outstanding using the treasury-stock method. Potential dilutive common shares consist of outstanding common stock options and warrants. There is no difference between the Company’s net loss and comprehensive loss. The numerators and denominators in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share were as follows (in thousands, except net loss per share data):
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Numerator: |
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Net loss | $ | ( |
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Denominator: |
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Shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted |
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Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | ( |
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Dilutive common stock options excluded from net loss per share, diluted |
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The Company excluded common stock options and warrants outstanding from the calculation of net loss per share, diluted, because the effect of including outstanding options and warrants would have been anti-dilutive.
Financial instruments include accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments may be determined using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop estimates of fair value; therefore, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized or would be paid in a current market exchange. The effect of using different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may be material to the estimated fair value amounts. The carrying amounts of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.
The Company has entered into various research and development contracts with research institutions and other third-party vendors. These agreements are generally cancelable. Related payments are recorded as research and development expenses as incurred. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing research costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the studies including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs. Significant judgments and estimates are made in determining the accrued balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company’s historical accrual estimates have not been materially different from actual costs.
In 2020, the Company established the 2020 Cash Incentive Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) to incentivize Plan participants. Awards under the Plan are accounted for as liability awards under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718 “Stock-based Compensation”. The fair value of each potential Plan award will be determined once a grant date occurs and will be remeasured each reporting period. Compensation expense associated with the Plan will be recognized over the expected achievement period for each Plan award, when a Performance Condition (as defined below) is considered probable of being met. See Note 10 for further discussion of the Plan.
The Company recognizes assets and liabilities that arise from leases. For operating leases, the Company is required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments during the lease term, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, the Company does not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities. As the Company`s leases do not provide an implicit rate, it uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Property and equipment is recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings, and site improvements have estimated useful lives of
Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If property and equipment are considered to be impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.
Acquired intangible assets are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition and primarily consist of lease-in-place agreements and leasing commissions. Intangible assets are amortized over the estimated life of the lease-in-place agreements, which is approximately
Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis, and when there is reason to believe that their values have been diminished or impaired. If intangible assets are considered to be impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax balances are adjusted to reflect tax rates based on currently enacted tax laws, which will be in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company has accumulated significant deferred tax assets that reflect the tax effects of net operating loss and tax credit carryovers and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Realization of certain deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings. The Company is uncertain about the timing and amount of any future earnings. Accordingly, the Company offsets these deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. These provisions require recognition of the impact of a tax position in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements only if that position is more likely than not of being sustained upon examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions will be reflected as a component of income tax expense.
Prepaid expenses and other current assets at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following (in thousands):
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Prepaid insurance | $ | |
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Contract research organization and other deposits |
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Other |
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Total prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | |
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On August 4, 2021, the Company completed the all-cash purchase of a two-building office complex in Austin, Texas, which will serve as its future corporate headquarters. This property is intended to accommodate the Company’s anticipated growth and expansion of its operations in the coming years. Maintenance, physical facilities, leasing, property management and other key responsibilities related to property ownership are being outsourced to professional real-estate managers. The purchase price of the property was $
The purchase was accounted for as an asset acquisition under ASC 805, Business Combinations. As substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired were concentrated into a single identifiable asset, the Company concluded that the screen was met, and the transaction is considered an asset acquisition rather than an acquisition of a business. Pursuant to the cost accumulation method as prescribed in ASC 805, the cost of the acquisition, including certain transaction costs, is allocated to the assets acquired on the basis of relative fair values. The value of acquired in-place leases was measured as the sum of lost revenues that would be incurred during a prospective lease-up period that would be necessary to achieve occupancy similar to that at the time of acquisition. The value was calculated as the average number of months of lease-up multiplied by the gross monthly market rental rate (base rent plus reimbursements) for each particular suite.
The assets acquired are summarized as follows (in thousands):
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Buildings |
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Tenant improvements |
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Total tangible assets | $ | |
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Lease-in-place agreements | $ | |
Leasing commissions and other |
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Total intangible assets | $ | |
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Consideration paid | $ | |
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The Company records the net income from building operations and leases as other income, net, as leasing is not core to the Company’s operations. Building depreciation and amortization is included in general and administrative expense. Components of other income, net, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
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Lease revenue | $ | |
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Property operating expenses |
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Other income, net | $ | |
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The components of property and equipment, net, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
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Land | $ | |
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Buildings |
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Site improvements |
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Tenant improvements |
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Furniture and equipment |
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Construction in progress |
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Gross property and equipment | $ | |
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Accumulated depreciation |
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Property and equipment, net | $ | |
| $ | |
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The components of intangible assets, net, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
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Lease-in-place agreements | $ | |
| $ | |
Leasing commissions and other |
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Gross intangible assets | $ | |
| $ | |
Accumulated amortization |
| ( |
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Intangible assets, net | $ | |
| $ | |
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Amortization expense for intangible assets was $
Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2022 is expected to be as follows (in thousands):
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For the year ending December 31, |
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2022 |
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2023 |
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2024 |
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Total amortization |
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2021 Registered Direct Offering
On February 12, 2021, the Company completed a common stock offering pursuant to which certain investors purchased 4,081,633 shares of common stock at a price of $49.00 per share. Net proceeds of the offering were approximately $189.8 million after deducting offering expenses.
At-the-Market Common Stock Offering
In March 2020, the Company established an at-the-market offering program (“ATM”) to sell, from time to time, shares of Company common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $
There were
Common Stock Warrants
In August 2018, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of
The Company did
There were no common stock warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
Stock Option and Performance Award Activity in 2022
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, stock options and unvested Performance Awards outstanding under the Company’s stock option plans changed as follows:
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Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 |
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Options granted |
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Options exercised |
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Options forfeited/canceled |
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Outstanding as of March 31, 2022 |
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The weighted average exercise price of options outstanding at March 31, 2022 was $
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, there were
Stock-based Compensation Expense in 2022
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense was as follows (in thousands):
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Research and development | $ | |
| $ | |
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General and administrative |
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Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | |
| $ | |
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2018 Equity Incentive Plan
In January 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The Board or a designated committee of the Board is responsible for administration of the 2018 Plan and determines the terms and conditions of each option granted, consistent with the terms of the 2018 Plan. The Company’s employees, directors, and consultants are eligible to receive awards under the 2018 Plan, including grants of stock options and Performance Awards. Share-based awards generally expire
The Company did not provide for income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2022, because it has projected a net loss for the full year 2022 for which any benefit will be offset by an increase in the valuation allowance. There was also
Right-of-use Asset and Liability
The Company has a non-cancelable operating lease for approximately
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| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total future lease payments | Less: imputed interest |
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Operating leases | $ | | | | | ( | $ | |
Short-term operating lease | $ | |
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| $ | |
Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 totaled $
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 totaled $
Other Commitments
The Company conducts its product research and development programs through a combination of internal and collaborative programs that include, among others, arrangements with universities, contract research organizations and clinical research sites. The Company has contractual arrangements with these organizations that are cancelable. The Company’s obligations under these contracts are largely based on services performed.
In August 2020, the Board approved the Plan. The Plan was established to promote the long-term success of the Company by creating an “at-risk” cash bonus program that rewards Plan participants with additional cash compensation in lockstep with significant increases in the Company’s market capitalization. The Plan is considered “at-risk” because Plan participants will not receive a cash bonus unless the Company’s market capitalization increases significantly and certain other conditions specified in the Plan are met. Specifically, Plan participants will not be paid any cash bonuses unless (1) the Company completes a merger or acquisition transaction that constitutes a sale of ownership of the Company or its assets (a Merger Transaction) or (2) the Compensation Committee of the Board (the Compensation Committee) determines the Company has sufficient cash on hand, as defined in the Plan. Because of the inherent discretion and uncertainty regarding these requirements, the Company has concluded that a Plan grant date has not occurred as of March 31, 2022.
Plan participants will be paid all earned cash bonuses in the event of a Merger Transaction.
The Company’s market capitalization for purposes of the Plan is determined based on either (1) the closing price of one share of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market multiplied by the total issued and outstanding shares and options to purchase shares of the Company, or (2) the aggregate consideration payable to security holders of the Company in a Merger Transaction. This constitutes a market condition under applicable accounting guidance.
The Plan triggers a potential cash bonus each time the Company’s market capitalization increases significantly, up to a maximum $
If the Company were to exceed a $5 billion market capitalization for no less than 20 consecutive trading days, all Valuation Milestones would be deemed achieved, in which case cash bonus awards would range from a minimum of $
The Plan is accounted for as a liability award. The fair value of each Valuation Milestone award will be determined once a grant date occurs and will be remeasured each reporting period. Compensation expense associated with the Plan will be recognized over the expected achievement period for each of the 14 Valuation Milestones, when a Performance Condition is considered probable of being met.
In October 2020, the Company achieved the first Valuation Milestone. Subsequently, the Compensation Committee approved a potential cash bonus award of $
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company achieved 11 additional Valuation Milestones triggering potential Company obligations to all Plan participants from a minimum of $
no Performance Conditions are considered probable of being met. There is no continuing service requirement for Plan participants once the Compensation Committee approves a cash bonus award.
No Valuation Milestones were achieved during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Securities Class Actions and Shareholder Derivative Actions
Between August 27 and October 26, 2021, four putative class action lawsuits were filed alleging violations of the federal securities laws by the Company and certain named officers. The complaints rely on allegations contained in Citizen Petitions submitted to FDA, and allege that various statements made by the defendants regarding simufilam were rendered materially false and misleading. The Citizen Petitions were subsequently denied by FDA. These actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaints seek unspecified compensatory damages and other relief on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of the Company’s securities between September 14, 2020, and August 27, 2021. The Company expects that the cases will be consolidated and that a lead plaintiff and lead counsel will be appointed and thereafter that a consolidated amended complaint will be filed. The Company believes the lawsuit claims are without merit and intends to defend against these lawsuits vigorously. The Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with these lawsuits.
On November 4, 2021, a related shareholder derivative action was filed, purportedly on behalf of the Company, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, asserting claims under the U.S. securities laws and state fiduciary duty laws against certain named officers and the members of the Company’s board of directors. This complaint relies on the allegations made in Citizen Petitions that were submitted to (and subsequently denied by) FDA. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the individual defendants exposed the Company to unspecified damages and securities law liability by causing it to make materially false and misleading statements, in violation of the U.S. securities laws and in breach of their fiduciary duties to the Company. The derivative case seeks, among other things, to recover unspecified compensatory damages on behalf of the Company arising out of the individual defendant’s alleged wrongful conduct. Although the plaintiff in this derivative case does not seek relief against the Company, it has certain indemnification obligations to the individual defendants. Since November 4, 2021, three additional shareholder derivative actions were filed alleging substantially similar claims, two in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, and one in Texas state court (Travis County District Court). The state court action has been stayed pending the resolution of the motions to dismiss in the securities class actions. The parties to the three federal court actions have filed a motion, which the court has not yet ruled on, to consolidate and stay pending the resolution of motions to dismiss in the securities class actions. The Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with these lawsuits.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Cassava Sciences, Inc.’s (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Operating results are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future periods.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. We intend that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,” “will” and “would” or the negatives of these terms or other comparable terminology.
The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and our actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements about:
The number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease we expect to enroll in our on-going Phase 3 studies, the enrollment rates for these studies and the length of time to complete our studies, the geographic areas for patient enrollment, and the expected safety profile or treatment benefits of simufilam for people with Alzheimer’s disease;
our reliance on third-party contractors to conduct the clinical trials and make drug supply on a large-scale for our Phase 3 clinical program, or their ability to do so on-time or on-budget;
limitations around the interpretation of improvements in cognition scores observed in interim analyses in our long-term open-label study, as compared to efficacy results from a fully completed, randomized controlled study design;
the ability of clinical scales to assess cognition or health in our trials of Alzheimer’s disease;
announcements or plans regarding any future interim analyses of our open-label study of simufilam and our estimated timeline for doing so;
any significant changes we may make, or anticipate making, to the design of any of our on-going studies of simufilam in patients with Alzheimer’s disease;
our ability to initiate, conduct or analyze additional clinical and non-clinical studies with our product candidates targeted at Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases;
the interpretation of results from our early clinical studies, such as Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies;
our plans to further develop SavaDx, our investigational blood-based diagnostic, and to evaluate a non-antibody approach for SavaDx;
our ability or willingness to expand therapeutic indications for simufilam outside of Alzheimer’s disease;
the safety, efficacy, or potential therapeutic benefits of our product candidates;
the utility of protection, or the sufficiency, of our intellectual property;
our potential competitors or competitive products;
expected future sources of revenue and capital and increasing cash needs;
our use of a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) to conduct clinical studies of our lead product candidate;
expectations regarding trade secrets, technological innovations, licensing agreements and outsourcing of certain business functions;
our expenses increasing or fluctuations in our financial or operating results;
our operating losses, anticipated operating and capital expenditures and legal expenses;
expectations regarding the issuance of shares of common stock to employees pursuant to equity compensation awards, net of employment taxes;
the development and maintenance of our internal information systems and infrastructure;
our need to hire additional personnel and our ability to attract and retain such personnel;
existing regulations and regulatory developments in the United States and other jurisdictions in which we operate;
our plans to expand the size and scope of our operations and physical facilities;
the sufficiency of our current resources to continue to fund our operations;
the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing;
assumptions and estimates used for our disclosures regarding stock-based compensation;
the expense, timing and outcome of pending or future litigation or other legal proceedings and claims, including U.S. government inquiries;
litigation, claims or other uncertainties that may arise from allegations made against us or our collaborators; and
the long-term impact and lingering after-effects of COVID-19 on our operations and financial condition and those of our vendors and contractors.
Such forward-looking statements and our business involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the following:
We have a limited operating history in our business targeting Alzheimer’s disease and no products approved for commercial sale.
Research and development of biopharmaceutical products is a highly uncertain undertaking and involves a substantial degree of risk and our business is heavily dependent on the successful development of our product candidates.
We are concentrating a substantial portion of our research and development efforts on the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, an area of research that has recorded many clinical failures.
We may encounter substantial delays in our clinical trials or may not be able to conduct or complete our clinical trials on the timelines we expect, if at all.
Our clinical trials may fail to demonstrate evidence of the safety and efficacy of our product candidates, which would prevent, delay, or limit the scope of regulatory approval and the commercialization of our product candidates.
We may need to obtain substantial additional financing to complete the development and any commercialization of our product candidates.
We are a small company with no sales force and may not be successful in our efforts to commercialize any product candidates which are approved.
Our CRO and contract manufacturers may fail to perform as anticipated.
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights or trade secrets.
We may be subject to third-party claims of intellectual property infringement.
We may not succeed in our maintenance or pursuit of licensing rights or third-party intellectual property necessary for the development of our product candidates.
Enacted or future legislation or regulatory actions may adversely affect our product pricing, or limit the reimbursement we may receive for our products.
A significant breakdown, security breach or interruption affecting our internal computer systems, or those used by our third-party research collaborators, may compromise the confidentiality of our financial or proprietary information, result in material disruptions of our products and operations and adversely affect our reputation.
We may be unsuccessful at hiring and retaining qualified personnel.
We and certain of our directors and executive officers have been named as defendants in lawsuits that could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention.
Adverse and lingering circumstances caused by disease epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19.
Please also refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as such risk factors may be amended, updated or modified periodically in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for further information on these and other risks affecting us.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because our future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by them. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, except as required by law.
Our research programs in neurodegeneration benefit from longstanding scientific and financial support from the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”). The contents of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are solely our responsibility and do not necessarily represent any official views of NIH.
Overview
Cassava Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas. Our mission is to detect and treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Our novel science is based on stabilizing – but not removing – a critical protein in the brain.
Over the past 10 years, we have combined state-of-the-art technology with new insights in neurobiology to develop novel solutions for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Our strategy is to leverage our unique scientific/clinical platform to develop a first-in-class program for treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
We currently have two biopharmaceutical assets under development:
our lead therapeutic product candidate, called simufilam, is a novel treatment for Alzheimer’s disease; and
our lead investigational diagnostic product candidate, called SavaDx, is a novel way to detect the presence of Alzheimer’s disease from a small sample of blood.
Our scientific approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease seeks to simultaneously suppress both neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. We believe our ability to improve multiple vital functions in the brain represents a new, different and crucial approach to address Alzheimer’s disease.
Our lead therapeutic product candidate, simufilam, is a proprietary small molecule (oral) drug. Simufilam targets an altered form of a protein called filamin A (FLNA) in the Alzheimer’s brain. Published studies have demonstrated that the altered form of FLNA causes neuronal dysfunction, neuronal degeneration and neuroinflammation. We are currently conducting a Phase 3 program with simufilam in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease dementia.
We believe simufilam improves brain health by reverting altered FLNA back to its native, healthy conformation, thus countering the downstream toxic effects of altered FLNA. We have generated and published experimental and clinical evidence of improved brain health with simufilam. Importantly, simufilam is not dependent on clearing amyloid from the brain. Since simufilam has a unique mechanism of action, we believe its potential therapeutic effects may be additive or synergistic with those of other therapeutic candidates aiming to treat neurodegeneration.
Simufilam has demonstrated a multitude of treatment effects in animal models of disease, including normalizing neurotransmission, decreasing neuroinflammation, suppressing neurodegeneration, and restoring memory and cognition.
Simufilam and SavaDx were both discovered and designed in-house and were characterized by our academic collaborators during research activities that were conducted from approximately 2008 to date. We own exclusive, worldwide rights to these drug assets and related technologies, without royalty obligations to any third party. Our patent protection with respect to simufilam and use of simufilam for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disease currently runs through 2033 and includes six issued patents and related patent filings and applications. In addition, we have patent protection with respect to simufilam for use in treating certain cancers that runs through 2034. We currently have no patents or patent applications with respect to SavaDx, which we believe is protected in the United States by trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary rights technology.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognition, function and behavior. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and this number may rise to nearly 13 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, a charitable organization.
Phase 2a Study
In 2019, we completed a small, first-in-patient, clinical-proof-of-concept, open-label Phase 2a study of simufilam in the U.S., with substantial support from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a division of the NIH. Treatment with simufilam for 28 days significantly improved certain key biomarkers of Alzheimer’s pathology, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation (p<0.001). Biomarkers effects were seen in all patients in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma.
Phase 2b Study
In September 2020, we announced final results of a Phase 2b study with simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease. In this clinical study funded by the NIH, Alzheimer’s patients treated with 50 mg or 100 mg of simufilam twice-daily for 28 days showed statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in CSF biomarkers of disease pathology, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, versus Alzheimer’s patients who took placebo. In addition, Alzheimer’s patients treated with simufilam showed improvements in validated tests of episodic memory and spatial working memory, versus patients on placebo. Cognitive improvements correlated most strongly with decreases in levels of P-tau181, a biomarker that suggests brain changes from Alzheimer’s disease.
Open-label Study Strategy
Much of the value of our ongoing open-label study is to gain data to support simufilam’s long-term safety profile in patients.
Clinical data from an open-label study has limitations compared to safety and efficacy data from a fully completed, large, randomized controlled clinical trial. However, we believe there is logic to conducting an open-label study prior to conducting a large, expensive Phase 3 clinical testing program. First, this is a standard clinical method of demonstrating drug safety. Second, we believe that if an experimental drug for Alzheimer’s shows no treatment benefits in a well-designed, long-term open-label study, then there is no chance that drug will succeed in Phase 3 clinical testing. The opposite is not true: encouraging treatment effects in an open-label study is not proof of drug safety or efficacy, nor can encouraging treatment effects predict clinical success in a Phase 3 program.
We believe a well-designed, long-term, open-label study is an exercise in prudent risk-management. Clinical results may serve as a tool to help inform and manage the inherent risks and uncertainties of drug development prior to undertaking a large, expensive Phase 3 clinical testing program.
We also believe the use of interim analyses in our open-label study is a rational approach to inform the design of ongoing, pending, or future clinical studies. An interim analysis is a form of preliminary scientific enquiry that evaluates clinical data before a study is concluded, before patient enrollment has been completed and before data validation procedures are conducted to ensure the final clinical dataset is valid and accurate. Interim, “top-line” and preliminary data from our open-label clinical trial that we announce or publish from time to time are likely to change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final clinical dataset.
Open-label Study Results
In March 2020, we initiated a long-term, open-label study to evaluate simufilam, our lead drug candidate, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This study is funded in part by a research grant award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study is intended to monitor the long-term safety and tolerability of simufilam 100 mg twice daily for 12 or more months. Another study objective is to measure changes in cognition and biomarkers. This study uses ADAS-Cog to measure changes in cognition and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to assess dementia-related behavior. Both scales are both standard clinical tools in trials of Alzheimer’s disease.
In September 2021, the open-label study reached its final target enrollment of approximately 200 subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. To date, drug is safe and well-tolerated.
6-month Interim Analysis. In February 2021, we announced top-line results of a preplanned interim analysis of our open-label study with simufilam. This interim analysis summarized clinical data in the first 50 patients who had completed at least 6 months of drug treatment. Patients’ cognition and behavior scores improved following six months of simufilam treatment, with no safety issues. Six months of simufilam treatment improved cognition scores by 1.6 points on ADAS-Cog11, a 10% mean improvement from baseline to month 6. In these same patients, simufilam also improved dementia-related behavior, such as anxiety, delusions and agitation, by 1.3 points on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), a 29% mean improvement from baseline to month 6.
9-month Interim Analysis. In July 2021, we announced top-line results of a second preplanned interim analysis of our open-label study with simufilam. This interim analysis summarized clinical data on the first 50 patients who
had completed at least 9 months of drug treatment. Patients’ cognition and behavior scores improved following nine months of simufilam treatment, with no safety issues. Nine months of simufilam treatment improved cognition scores by 3.0 points on ADAS-Cog11, an 18% mean improvement from baseline to month 9 (p<0.001). Simufilam improved ADAS-Cog scores in 66% of patients at 9 months. An additional 22% of patients declined less than reported in the science literature at 9 months. Cognition outcomes suggest simufilam’s treatment effects were broad-based (Figure 1).
12-month Interim Analysis. In September 2021, we announced top-line results of a third preplanned interim analysis of our open-label study with simufilam. This interim analysis summarized clinical data on the first 50 patients who had completed at least 12 months of drug treatment. Patients’ cognition and behavior scores both improved following twelve months of simufilam treatment, with no safety issues. Twelve months of simufilam treatment improved cognition scores by 3.2 points on ADAS-Cog11 from baseline to month 12 (p<0.001). Sixty-eight percent (68%) of study subjects improved on ADAS-Cog at 12 months; these study subjects improved an average of 6.8 points (S.D. ± 3.8). An additional 20% of study subjects declined less than 5 points on ADAS-Cog at 12 months; these study subjects declined an average of 2.5 points (S.D. ± 1.3).
In 2022, we may conduct and publicly announce top-line results of additional interim analyses on safety and cognition of our open-label study with simufilam. Such clinical data is exploratory in nature and is not evidence of long-term drug safety or efficacy.
Figure 1. Individual Patient Changes in ADAS-Cog (N=50) at 9 months
Interim analyses summarize clinical data on the first 50 patients who have completed 6, 9, and 12 months of open-label treatment. Baseline values for cognition for each 50-patient cohort will not be the same at months 6, 9 and 12 because some study participants may drop out of the open-label study in-between interim analyses and dropouts are replaced, such that each interim analysis collects data from the first 50 patients who complete each specified time point.
Figure 2. Changes in ADAS-Cog (N=50) at 6, 9 and 12-month Interim Analyses
Historical Rates of Cognitive Decline - Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. Cognition will always decline over time. Historical controls indicate that in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, cognition declines an average of 5.5 points on ADAS-Cog over 12 months amongst study subjects administered placebo in randomized, controlled trials, as reported by the science literature1. As an example of decline in an early Alzheimer’s disease population, in 2020, one of our competitors, Biogen, Inc., reported a 5.2-point decline over 18 months on ADAS-Cog amongst study subjects who were administered placebo in two Phase 3 randomized, controlled trials studies with their proprietary drug, aducanumab2.
_____________________________
1 Disease Progression Meta-analysis Model in Alzheimer’s disease (Ito, et al., Pfizer Global Research), Alzheimer’s & Dementia 6 (2010) 39-53
2 EMERGE and ENGAGE Topline Results (2020), available on-line.
Alzheimer’s is often accompanied by behavior disorders, such as anxiety, agitation or delusions. Such disorders may come and go over time, but they typically emerge or become more frequent as disease progresses. Simufilam reduced dementia-related behavior at 12 months on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), a clinical tool used to measure changes in dementia-related behavior.
At baseline, 34% of study subjects had no neuropsychiatric symptoms.
At month 6, 38% of study subjects had no neuropsychiatric symptoms.
At month 9, over 50% of study subjects had no neuropsychiatric symptoms.
At month 12, over 50% of study subjects had no neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Biomarker Analysis. Biomarkers are objective biological data. There are no known placebo effects. A key objective of this study is to measure changes in levels of biomarkers in patients before and after 6 months and 12 months of open-label treatment with simufilam.
In July 2021, we announced positive biomarker data from our open-label study. Six months of open label treatment with simufilam robustly improved CSF biomarkers in a cohort of 25 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Biomarker data were analyzed from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from 25 study participants in the open-label study who agreed to undergo a lumbar puncture at baseline and again after 6 months of treatment. CSF bioanalyses were conducted blind by City University of New York (CUNY).
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of disease pathology, t-tau and p-tau181, decreased 38% and 18%, respectively (both p<0.00001). CSF biomarkers of neurodegeneration, neurogranin and Nfl, decreased 72% and 55%, respectively (both p<0.00001). CSF biomarkers of neuroinflammation, sTREM2 and YKL-40, decreased 65% and 44% (both p<0.00001). All p-values are baseline vs. 6-month levels by paired t-test. Figure 3.
Core markers of Alzheimer’s pathology are total tau (T-tau), phosphorylated tau (P-tau181), and amyloid beta42 (Aβ42). In Alzheimer’s, tau levels are elevated and Aβ42 is low.
T-tau decreased 38% (p<0.00001)
P-tau181 decreased 18% (p<0.00001)
CSF Aβ42 increased 84% (p<0.00001)
Elevated CSF levels of two proteins, neurogranin (Ng) and neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) indicate neurodegeneration.
Ng decreased 72% (p<0.00001)
NfL decreased 55% (p<0.00001)
Elevated levels of marker YKL-40 indicate neuroinflammation.
YKL-40 decreased 44% (p<0.00001)
sTREM2 is a biomarker of microglia-induced neuroinflammation that has commanded substantial recent attention from researchers for its role in Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia.
sTREM2 decreased 65% (p<0.00001)
HMGB1 protein, is a damage-related protein sometimes called a ‘danger molecule’ because it triggers additional neuroinflammation and loss of neurons.
HMGB1 decreased 53% (p<0.00001)
Figure 3. Significant Decreases in CSF Biomarkers at Month 6
Insert D % Change from Baseline -80% -70% -60% -50% -40% -30% -20% -10% 0% P-tau181 Total tau sTREM2 YKL40 Neurogranin NfL HMGB1 -18% -38% -65% -44% -72% -55% -53% P < 0.0001 for all by paired t test CASSAVA sciences
In 2022, we expect to measure CSF biomarkers in approximately 25 study participants who complete 12 months of treatment with open label simufilam.
Cognition Maintenance Study (CMS)
In May 2021, we initiated a Cognition Maintenance Study (CMS). This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of simufilam in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Study subjects are randomized (1:1) to simufilam or placebo for six months. To enroll in the CMS, patients must have previously completed 12 months or more of open-label treatment with simufilam. The CMS is designed to evaluate simufilam’s effects on cognition and health outcomes in Alzheimer’s patients who continue with drug treatment versus patients who discontinue drug treatment. Figure 4.
The target enrollment for the CMS is approximately 100 subjects or more. As of May 3, 2022, over 75 subjects have been enrolled in the CMS.
Figure 4. Cognition Maintenance Study Design
End-of-Phase 2 (EOP2) Meeting with FDA
In January 2021, we held an End-of-phase 2 (EOP2) meeting for simufilam with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The purpose of this EOP2 meeting was to gain general agreement around key elements of a pivotal Phase 3 program to treat Alzheimer’s disease dementia. FDA attendees included Robert Temple, MD, Deputy Center Director for Clinical Science and Senior Advisor in the Office of New Drugs; Billy Dunn, MD, Director, Office of Neuroscience; Eric Bastings, MD, Director, Division of Neurology, and others.
In February 2021, we announced the successful completion of our EOP2 meeting. Official meeting minutes confirm that we and FDA are aligned on key elements of a Phase 3 clinical program for simufilam. FDA has agreed that the completed Phase 2 program, together with an ongoing and well-defined Phase 3 clinical program, are sufficient to show evidence of clinical efficacy for simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease. There is also agreement that the use of separate clinical scales to assess cognition (ADAS-cog1) and function (ADCS-ADL2) are appropriate co-primary endpoints of efficacy. A clinical scale that combines cognition and function, such as iADRS3, is a secondary efficacy endpoint.
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1 ADAS-Cog = The Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale, a measure of cognition
2 ADCS-ADL = Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study – Activities of Daily Living, a measure of health function
3 iADRS = integrated Alzheimer’s Disease Rating Scale, a composite measure of cognition and health function
Special Protocol Assessments
In August 2021, we announced we had reached agreement with FDA under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for both Phase 3 studies. These SPA agreements document that FDA has reviewed and agreed upon the key design features of our Phase 3 study protocols of simufilam for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
An SPA agreement indicates concurrence by the FDA with the adequacy and acceptability of specific critical elements of overall protocol design (e.g., entry criteria, dose selection, endpoints, etc.). These elements are critical to ensure that our planned Phase 3 studies of simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease can be considered adequate and well-controlled studies in support of a future regulatory submission and marketing application.
The first clinical study protocol under the SPA is titled “A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, 52-Week Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of One Dose of Simufilam in Subjects with Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease.”
The second clinical study protocol under the SPA is titled “A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, 76-Week Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Two Doses of Simufilam in Subjects with Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Phase 3 Drug Supply
In March 2021, we announced we had entered into a drug supply agreement with Evonik Industries AG for simufilam. Under the agreement, Evonik will supply us with large-scale, clinical-grade quantities of simufilam. Evonik is one of the world’s largest contract development and manufacturing organizations for pharmaceutical ingredients. Other vendors supply excipients, the finished dosage form (i.e., simufilam tablets), drug packaging, package labeling and other critical steps in the supply chain for Phase 3 drug supply.
Phase 3 Clinical Program Overview
The Phase 3 program consists of two large, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of simufilam in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Figure 5. In 2021, the FDA granted each study a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA). In June 2021, we announced the selection of Premier Research International as our clinical research organization (CRO) to help conduct the Phase 3 clinical program of simufilam for Alzheimer’s disease.
Figure 5.
RETHINK-ALZ and REFOCUS-ALZ
On October 6, 2021 and November 18, 2021, we announced initiation of our two Phase 3 studies of simufilam, respectively. As of May 3, 2022, over 120 subjects have been enrolled in the Phase 3 program. The Phase 3 clinical program is being conducted in over 120 clinical sites across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, with many sites activated during the first quarter of 2022.
The first Phase 3 study, called RETHINK-ALZ, is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral simufilam 100 mg in enhancing cognition and slowing cognitive and functional decline over 52 weeks. Secondary objectives include the assessment of simufilam's effect on neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver burden. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study plans to enroll approximately 750 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. and Canada and, eventually, overseas.
Details of the RETHINK-ALZ Phase 3 study include:
Approximately 750 subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease to be enrolled.
Subjects to be randomized (1:1) to simufilam 100 mg or placebo twice daily.
Subjects to be treated for 12 months.
The co-primary efficacy endpoints are ADAS-Cog1, a cognitive scale, and ADCS-ADL2, a functional scale; both are standard clinical tools in trials of Alzheimer’s disease.
A secondary efficacy endpoint is iADRS3, a standard clinical tool in trials of Alzheimer’s disease that combines cognitive and functional scores from ADAS-Cog & ADCS-ADL.
Other secondary endpoints include plasma biomarkers of disease and NPI4, a clinical tool that assesses the presence and severity of dementia-related behavior.
On November 18, 2021, we announced initiation of a second Phase 3 study, called REFOCUS-ALZ, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral simufilam 100 mg and 50 mg over 76 weeks. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study plans to enroll approximately 1,000 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. and Canada and, eventually, overseas.
Details of the REFOCUS-ALZ Phase 3 study include:
Approximately 1,000 subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease to be enrolled.
Subjects to be randomized (1:1:1) to simufilam 100 mg, 50 mg, or placebo BID.
Subjects to be treated for 76 weeks.
The co-primary efficacy endpoints are ADAS-Cog1, a cognitive scale, and ADCS-ADL2, a functional scale; both are widely used clinical tools in trials of Alzheimer’s disease.
A secondary efficacy endpoint is iADRS3, a widely used clinical tool in trials of Alzheimer’s disease that combines cognitive and functional scores from ADAS-Cog & ADCS-ADL.
Other secondary endpoints include CSF, plasma and imaging biomarkers of disease and NPI4, a clinical tool that assesses the presence and severity of dementia-related behavior.
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1 ADAS-Cog = The Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale, a measure of cognition
2 ADCS-ADL = Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study – Activities of Daily Living, a measure of health function
3 iADRS = integrated Alzheimer’s Disease Rating Scale, a composite measure of cognition and health function
4 Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)
SavaDx
Our investigational product candidate, called SavaDx, is early-stage program focused on detecting the presence of Alzheimer’s disease from a small sample of blood. For business, technical and personnel reasons, we continue to prioritize the development of simufilam, our novel drug candidate, over SavaDx, our novel diagnostic candidate.
The regulatory pathway for SavaDx may eventually include formal analytical validation studies and clinical studies that support evidence of sensitivity, specificity and other variables in various healthy and diseased patient populations. We have not conducted such studies and do not expect to conduct such studies in 2022.
SavaDx is currently designed as an antibody-based detection system for altered filamin A (FLNA). In 2022, we plan to evaluate a new approach to detect FLNA without the use of antibodies.
Impact of COVID-19 on our Business
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our top priorities are to protect the health, well-being, and safety of our employees and partners, while still focusing on the key drivers of our business. Despite COVID-19, we believe we may be on-track to achieve our major strategic objectives for 2022 with simufilam. We have generally not experienced major disruptions across our drug manufacturing operations or supply of materials. We believe certain investigational clinical study sites that are involved, or potentially would like to be involved, with our clinical programs may be experiencing lingering, pandemic-related after-effects, such as staffing shortages, operational gaps or other adverse circumstances. Our broad spectrum of technical consultants, scientific advisors and service providers continue to provide timely services. We have adapted flexible business practices, such as remote work arrangements and temporary travel restrictions, to insure we continue to operate safety and cautiously while also meeting our public health responsibilities. We recognize the pandemic has created a dynamic and uncertain situation in the national economy. We continue to closely monitor the latest information to make timely, informed business decisions and public disclosures regarding the potential impact of pandemic on our operations. However, the scope of pandemic is unprecedented and its long-term impact on our operations and financial condition cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
Financial Overview
We have yet to generate any revenues from product sales. We have an accumulated deficit of $224.8 million at March 31, 2022. These losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in connection with research and development activities, salaries and other personnel-related costs and general corporate expenses. Research and development activities include costs of preclinical and clinical trials as well as clinical supplies associated with our product candidates. Salaries and other personnel-related costs include stock-based compensation associated with stock options and other equity awards granted to employees and non-employees. Our operating results may fluctuate substantially from period to period as a result of the timing of preclinical activities, enrollment rates of clinical trials for our product candidates and our need for clinical supplies.
We expect to continue to use significant cash resources in our operations for the next several years. Our cash requirements for operating activities and capital expenditures may increase substantially in the future as we:
continue our ongoing Phase 3 program with simufilam;
manufacture large-scale supplies for simufilam;
conduct other preclinical and clinical studies for our product candidates;
seek regulatory approvals for our product candidates;
develop, formulate, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates;
implement additional internal systems and develop new infrastructure;
acquire or in-license additional products or technologies, or expand the use of our technology;
maintain, defend and expand the scope of our intellectual property; and
hire additional personnel.
Product revenue will depend on our ability to receive regulatory approvals for, and successfully market, our product candidates. If our development efforts result in regulatory approval and successful commercialization of our product candidates, we expect to generate revenue from direct sales of our drugs and/or, if we license our drugs to
future collaborators, from the receipt of license fees and royalties from sales of licensed products. We conduct our research and development programs through a combination of internal and collaborative programs. We rely on arrangements with universities, certain collaborators, CDMOs, CROs and clinical research sites for a significant portion of our product development efforts.
We focus substantially all of our research and development efforts in the area of neurology. The following table summarizes expenses by category for research and development efforts (in thousands):
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Compensation | $ | 1,898 |
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Research and development expenses include compensation, contractor fees and supplies as well as allocated common costs. Contractor fees and supplies generally include expenses for clinical studies and preclinical studies and costs for formulation and manufacturing activities. Other common costs include the allocation of common costs such as facilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we received $0.1 million and $0.6 million in NIH research grants, respectively. These reimbursements were recorded as a reduction to our research and development expenses.
Our technology has been applied across certain of our product candidates. Data, know-how, personnel, clinical results, research results and other matters related to the research and development of any one of our product candidates also relate to, and further the development of, our other product candidates. As a result, costs allocated to a specific drug candidate may not necessarily reflect the actual costs surrounding research and development of that product candidate due to cross application of the foregoing.
Estimating the dates of completion of clinical development, and the costs to complete development, of our product candidates would be highly speculative, subjective and potentially misleading. Pharmaceutical product candidates take a significant amount of time to research, develop and commercialize. The clinical trial portion of the development of a new drug alone usually spans several years. We expect to reassess our future research and development plans based on our review of data we receive from our current research and development activities. The cost and pace of our future research and development activities are linked and subject to change.
Critical Accounting Estimates
This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported expenses and net loss incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from those described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022.
Results of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs of drug development work associated with our product candidates, including:
clinical trials,
pre-clinical testing,
clinical supplies and related formulation and design costs, and
compensation and other personnel-related expenses.
Research and development expenses were $14.9 million and $2.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This significant increase was due primarily to costs to conduct the ongoing Phase 3 clinical program in simufilam, costs of an on-going cognition maintenance study and open-label study in simufilam, and costs related to manufacture of clinical trial supplies compared to the prior year. Higher pre-clinical study costs as well as increased personnel costs also contributed to the increase. Grant funding received from NIH, recorded as a reduction in research and development expenses, also decreased compared to the prior year. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we received $0.1 million and $0.6 million in research grants from NIH, respectively.
We expect research and development expense to continue at historically high levels as we conduct a Phase 3 clinical program with simufilam, continue to hire new personnel, manufacture drug supply, and continue our development efforts.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expenses consist of personnel costs, allocated expenses and other expenses for outside professional services, including legal, human resources, audit and accounting services. Personnel costs consist of salaries, bonus, benefits and stock-based compensation. Allocated expenses consist primarily of leased facility costs. Depreciation and amortization for buildings owned is included in general and administrative expense. We incur expenses associated with operating as a public company, including additional legal fees, expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq, additional insurance and audit expenses, investor relations activities, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance expenses and other administrative expenses and professional services.
General and administrative expenses were $2.9 million and $1.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The 190% increase was due primarily to $1.4 million in higher legal expenses as well as $0.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization for the two-building office complex in Austin, Texas, purchased in third quarter 2021 as compared to the prior year.
We expect our general and administrative expenses to continue at historically high levels in future periods due primarily to anticipated higher legal and professional fees related to ongoing securities class action lawsuits and governmental investigations.
Other income, net
We record the activities related to leasing office space to third parties in building we own as other income, net, as leasing is not core to the Company’s operations. Other income, net, was $263,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2022. There was no other income, net, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, as we acquired the two-building office complex in August 2021.
Depreciation and amortization for office complex is included in general and administrative expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through public and private stock offerings, payments received under collaboration agreements and interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents balances. We intend to continue to use our capital resources to fund research and development activities, capital expenditures, working capital
requirements and other general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were $209.7 million.
2021 Registered Direct Offering
On February 12, 2021, we completed a common stock offering pursuant to which certain investors purchased 4,081,633 shares of common stock at a price of $49.00 per share. Net proceeds of the offering were approximately $189.8 million after deducting offering expenses.
Common Stock Warrants
In August 2018, we issued warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 9.1 million shares of common stock in conjunction with an offering of our common stock.
We did not receive any proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants during the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we received proceeds of $0.7 million from the exercise of 0.6 million shares pursuant to warrants.
There were no common stock warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
At-the-Market Common Stock Offering
In March 2020, we established an at-the-market offering program (“ATM”) to sell, from time to time, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100 million in transactions pursuant to a shelf registration statement that was declared effective by the SEC on May 5, 2020. We are obligated to pay a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock in the offering. We are not obligated to sell any shares in the offering.
There were no common stock sales under the ATM during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
NIH Research Grant Awards
Our programs have been supported by NIH under multiple research grant awards. Strong, long-term support from NIH has allowed us to advance our two lead product candidates, simufilam and SavaDx, into clinical development.
In May 2021, we were awarded a new research grant award from NIH of up to $2.7 million to support clinical readiness activities in support of our Phase 3 program with simufilam. This non-dilutive research grant was intended to strengthen our clinical program of simufilam, our investigational drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease. All of our NIH research grant awards are paid out on a reimbursement basis and require milestone-based technical progress.
2020 Cash Incentive Bonus Plan Obligations
In August 2020, the Board approved the 2020 Cash Incentive Bonus Plan (the Plan). The Plan was established to promote the long-term success of the Company by creating an “at-risk” cash bonus program that rewards Plan participants with additional cash compensation in lockstep with significant increases in the Company’s market capitalization. The Plan is considered “at-risk” because Plan participants will not receive a cash bonus unless the Company’s market capitalization increases significantly and certain other conditions specified in the Plan are met. Specifically, Plan participants will not be paid any cash bonuses unless (1) the Company completes a merger or acquisition transaction that constitutes a sale of ownership of the Company or its assets (a Merger Transaction) or (2) the Compensation Committee determines the Company has sufficient cash on hand, as defined in the Plan. Plan participants will be paid all earned cash bonuses in the event of a Merger Transaction.
The Company’s market capitalization, including all outstanding stock options, was $89.4 million at the inception of the Plan in August 2020. If the Company were to exceed a $5 billion market capitalization for no less than 20 consecutive trading days, and conditions noted above for payment are met, all Plan milestones would be deemed achieved, in which case total cash bonus awards would range from a minimum of $139.1 million up to a hypothetical maximum of $322.3 million.
The Company’s potential financial obligation to plan participants at March 31, 2022 totaled $7.3 million, based upon the achievement of one Plan milestone in the Company’s market capitalization in 2020. No actual cash bonus payments have been made to any Plan participant, as the Company has not yet satisfied all the conditions necessary for amounts to be paid under the Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company’s market capitalization increased substantially. These increases triggered the achievement of 11 additional Plan milestones. Collectively, the achievement of such milestones could trigger potential Company obligations to Plan participants ranging from a minimum of $93.7 million up to a hypothetical maximum of $225.0 million, with exact amounts to be determined by the Compensation Committee and contingent upon future satisfaction of a Performance Condition.
No Valuation Milestones were achieved during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
No actual cash payments were authorized or made to participants under the Plan as of March 31, 2022, or through the filing date of this Form 10-Q.
Use of Cash
Net cash used in operating activities was $23.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, resulting primarily from the net loss reported of $17.5 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $3.8 million and accrued compensation and benefits of $1.7 million as well as an increase in prepaid and other assets of $1.1 million, partially offset by stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million.
Net cash used in operating activities was $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, resulting primarily from the net loss reported of $3.5 million, partially offset by an increase in accrued development expense of $0.8 million and a decrease in other assets of $0.2 million as well as stock-based compensation expense of $0.3 million.
Net cash used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $0.4 million related to renovations to an owned building in Austin, Texas, which will serve as our future corporate headquarters.
There was no net cash from investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $0.2 million, from the exercise of stock options.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $191.0 million, consisting of $189.8 million proceeds from our registered direct offering of common stock in February 2021, $0.7 million proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants and $0.5 million from exercise of stock options.
Leases
We lease approximately 6,000 square feet of office space pursuant to a non-cancelable operating lease in Austin, Texas that expires in April 2024. We also lease an additional 3,600 square feet of office space in Austin, Texas that, as amended in April 2022, expires on October 31, 2022.
On August 4, 2021, we completed the purchase of a two-building office complex in Austin, Texas, which will serve as our future corporate headquarters. This property is intended to accommodate our anticipated growth and expansion of our operations in the coming years. Maintenance, physical facilities, leasing, property management and other key responsibilities related to property ownership are being outsourced to professional real-estate managers. The purchase price of the property was $22.0 million, including closing costs, funded with cash on hand. The office complex measures approximately 90,000 rentable square feet. The property is currently over 60% leased. We plan to occupy approximately 25% of the property in the second half of 2022.
Other Commitments
We have an accumulated deficit of $224.8 million as of March 31, 2022. We expect our cash requirements to be significant in the future. The amount and timing of our future cash requirements will depend on regulatory and market acceptance of our drug candidates, the resources we devote to researching and developing, formulating, manufacturing,
commercializing and supporting our products and other corporate needs. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. We may seek additional future funding through public or private financing in the future, if such funding is available and on terms acceptable to us. However, there are no assurances that additional financing will be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business, primarily related to interest rate sensitivities.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. We had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $209.7 million as of March 31, 2022, which consisted primarily of money market accounts and U.S. Treasury securities.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve capital to fund our operations. We also seek to maximize income from our investments without assuming significant risk. To achieve our objectives, we maintain investment vehicles with high credit quality and short-term duration, in accordance with our board-approved investment policy. Such interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk; however, historical fluctuations in interest income have not been significant for us. Due to the generally short-term maturities and low risk profile of our cash equivalents, an immediate 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates during any of the periods presented would not have had a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer (as Principal Executive Officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (as Principal Financial Officer) have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2022, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonable likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in litigation or other legal proceedings and claims, including U.S. government inquiries and investigations. The outcome of these proceedings is inherently uncertain. Regardless of outcome, legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. At this time, no assessment can be made as to their likely outcome or whether the outcome will be material to us. No information is available to indicate that it is probable that a loss has been incurred or can be reasonably estimated as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and, as such, no accrual for these matters has been recorded within the consolidated financial statements.
Government Investigations
Certain government agencies have asked us to provide them with corporate information and documents. We have been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with government authorities. No government agency has informed us that any wrongdoing has occurred by any party. We cannot predict the outcome or impact of any these ongoing matters, including whether a government agency may pursue an enforcement action against us or others.
Securities Class Actions and Shareholder Derivative Actions
Between August 27 and October 26, 2021, four putative class action lawsuits were filed alleging violations of the federal securities laws by us and certain named officers. The complaints rely on allegations contained in Citizen Petitions that were submitted to FDA, and allege that various statements made by the defendants regarding simufilam were rendered materially false and misleading. The Citizen Petitions were subsequently denied by FDA. These actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaints seek unspecified compensatory damages and other relief on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of our securities between September 14, 2020 and August 27, 2021. We expect that the cases will be consolidated and that a lead plaintiff and lead counsel will be appointed and thereafter that a consolidated amended complaint will be filed. We believe the lawsuit claims are without merit and intend to defend against these lawsuits vigorously. We are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with these lawsuits.
On November 4, 2021, a related shareholder derivative action was filed, purportedly on behalf of the Company, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, asserting claims under the U.S. securities laws and state fiduciary duty laws against certain named officers and the members of the Company’s board of directors. This complaint relies on allegations made in Citizen Petitions that were submitted to (and subsequently denied by) FDA. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the individual defendants exposed the Company to unspecified damages and securities law liability by causing it to make materially false and misleading statements, in violation of the U.S. securities laws and in breach of their fiduciary duties to the Company. The derivative case seeks, among other things, to recover unspecified compensatory damages on behalf of the Company arising out of the individual defendant’s alleged wrongful conduct. Although the plaintiff in this derivative case does not seek relief against the Company, we have certain indemnification obligations to the individual defendants. Since November 4, 2021, three additional shareholder derivative actions were filed alleging substantially similar claims, two in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, and one in Texas state court (Travis County District Court). The state court action has been stayed pending the resolution of the motions to dismiss in the securities class actions. The parties to the three federal court actions have filed a motion, which the court has not yet ruled on, to consolidate and stay pending the resolution of motions to dismiss in the securities class actions. We are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with these lawsuits.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to our risk factors from those disclosed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risks and uncertainties described in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits have been filed with this report:
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+The certification furnished in Exhibit 32.1 hereto is deemed to accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| Cassava Sciences, Inc. |
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| (Registrant) | |
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| /s/ REMI BARBIER |
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| Remi Barbier, | |
| Chairman of the Board of Directors, | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | |
Date: May 5, 2022
| (Principal Executive Officer) | |
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| /s/ ERIC J. SCHOEN |
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| Eric J. Schoen, | |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
Date: May 5, 2022
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Remi Barbier, certify that:
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I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Cassava Sciences, Inc.; |
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Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
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Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
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The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
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Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
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Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
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Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and |
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The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
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All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
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/s/ REMI BARBIER |
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Remi Barbier, |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: May 5, 2022
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Eric J. Schoen, certify that:
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I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Cassava Sciences, Inc.; |
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Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
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Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
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The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
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Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
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Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
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Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and |
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The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
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All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
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/s/ ERIC J. SCHOEN |
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Eric J. Schoen, |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
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Date: May 5, 2022
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned officers of Cassava Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies that to the best of such officer’s knowledge:
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The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022, and to which this certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Periodic Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13-(a) or 15-(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and |
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The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Date: May 5, 2022
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/s/ REMI BARBIER |
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Remi Barbier, |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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/s/ ERIC J. SCHOEN |
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Eric J. Schoen, |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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